Coast Guard Station Surigao del Norte headed by the Station Commander CG CDR. ELAINE R. PANGILINAN swiftly responded to a reported distressed vessel which later identified as MV Vince Gabriel 4 last Thursday, 22 July 2021.

Accordingly, at about 3:50 pm of 22 July 2021 Coast Guard Station Surigao del Norte received information from a certain Val Lozada which positively confirmed by Facebook Live post of a certain Manuel S. Gillo Jr. mentioning the Station for a rescue assistance.

Upon receipt of the information, CG CDR ELAINE R PANGILINAN with an urgent directive of CG COMMO. LUISITO S. SIBAYAN MPA instantly activated dispatched Deployable Response Group (DRG) composed of Coast Guard Station Surigao del Norte and Coast Guard Special Operations Unit – Northeastern Mindanao onboard Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Patrol Boat 151 to conduct a thorough Search and Rescue (SAR) Operations and render necessary assistance if sighted.

On the course of SAR operations, SAR Team fortunately sighted the distressed vessel identified as MV Vince Gabriel 4 at vicinity waters off Bayagnan Island particularly near Brgy. Bitaugan, Surigao City, Surigao del Norte.

Upon coordination to the Master, MV Vince Gabriel will still proceed to her destination which is Surigao City at a slow speed while being escorted by PCG PB-151 in order to ensure the safety of passengers and crew members during voyage until arrival at Surigao Baseport.

At about 5:10pm of 22 July 2021, PCG PB-151 and MV Vince Gabriel 4 safely arrived at Surigao Baseport without any untoward incident happened. All the passengers and crew members of MV Vince Gabriel were all in good physical health condition.

Initial inquiries disclosed that MV Vince Gabriel 4 departed from Dapa Port, Municipality of Dapa, Surigao del Norte carrying 49 passengers and 8 crew members onboard bound for Surigao City. While transiting at vicinity waters off Hinatuan Island, MV Vince Gabriel 4 unfortunately encountered huge waves and strong winds which battered the astern portion resulting the seawater to gradually enter at vessel's deck causing panicked to passengers. Consequently, the master decided to slow ahead to prevent the seawater to continuously enter inside the vessel while waiting for the rescue assistance.

CG CDR. PANGILINAN urged the Mariners as well as the riding public to be vigilant while venturing at sea particularly during unpredictable inclement weather and unfavorable sea condition in order to avoid loss of life and property at sea.

(Source: CoastGuard Surigao del Norte Facebook account)